San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-28
HURRAH FOR THE BOYS.


The Belknaps Reputed Winner OF the
First Prize and San Antonio's Win.
ners of the Individual Prize.
There was considerable excitement
In the city when the news came that the
Belknap Rifles had passed through q
most oreditable drill and were sure OF
the second prize In the National drill at
Washington and the excitement was
augmented when II was known on good
authority that the Belknaps stood n
good chance OF being proclaimed win
ners Of the frat prize with the Lomax
second. This was indeed almost az much
good news as San Antonio could stand
In one day, but there was more to fol.
low, for the news came that Hermann
Staacke, OF the San Antonio Rifles, had
won the fret prize In the individual
drill and this was not all for although
the San Antonio Rifles broke consider
ably, there is some hopes OF IL getting
the third prize. Then the enthusiasm
broke out badly. Ii WAS the theme OF
general conversation and the saloon.
keepers did a good business In afiording
the public an opportunity to toasting
the viotors In a royal style.
The reports from Washington show
that the three principal companies
drilled yesterday. These were the Bel
KNAPP Rifles, the San Antonio Rifles and
the Lomax Rifles, OF Mobile. Alabama.
or the Belknaps, the Associated Press
report says: "The performance OF the
Belknap Rifles throughout was excel
lent and their work In manual of arms
superb. Their volley firing was superior
to anything yet seen during the drill"
Other advioes say that the drill was ex-
cellent In every respect and commanded
the general admiration Of the immense
crowd present.
Then came the San Antonio Rifles.
Their appearance was excellent, but
they, according to Capt. Badgers state
ment, broke several times. In excuse
for this 1t is said that a shower OF rain
came on and 1t made the ground slip
perry, making II very difficult to execute
several movements. The LOmax rifles
followed and put up q remarkably fine
drill.
No official award will be made until
Monday, but there is little question that
the first and second prizes lie with the
Belknap and LomaX rifles. Competent
judges say that the first prize will surely
fall to the Belknaps, but that remains
to be confirmed.
In the drill for the Individual prize 60
men were placed in line. One by one
they fell out. leaving the following six,
who retired In the order named:
G. Hines, Belknsp rifles, sixth.
J. kissing, Belknsp rifles, fifth.
Paul Florian, San Antonio rifles,
fourth.
sergt. 1. X. Wagner, company A.
Louisville Legion, third prize.
Chas. +. Conrad, Co. Ii, Washington
Light Artillery, second prize; ii. q.
Stascke. San Antonio Rifles, first prize.
Just fancy that out Of 60 men only elk
four were San Antonio boys, and then
the first prize was captured by one OF
that four. San Antonio may well be
proud Of her local militia.
The people are enthused and already
arrangements are being made that when
the boys come marching home from vic
tory, they will receive such a reception
that will at once be a tribute to their
ability and industry, and at the same
time show that San Antonio appreciates
the excellence OF her citizen soldiers
which today commands the admiration
of the country.
Captain Badger yesterday sent tele.
gram to San Antonio friend yesterday:
1--WE are defeated badly. The Belknsps,
from all accounts, have put up the best
drill" Later on he telegraphed: "H
Staacke has won the individual prize:
40 men in line. Prizes awarded on
Monday; will start home on Tuesday.
II the Belknaps get the first prize, Col.
Belknap announces his intention Of TAX
ing the boys to New York, banquetting
them at Delmonioo's and showing of the
little kids, and the mayor proposes to
call a meeting Of citizens to give the
boys proper reception.